by The Hero
Athena asked, her attitude bold and haughty.
That gaze and that way of speaking, certainly was that of a powerful Queen. As if she were challenging him, testing his courage -
"So, what will you do? You might be gambling away your own life, or even perhaps the life of the person most important to you. Will you accept?"
Godou pondered his options.
The gods were not vicious or evil by nature, but sometimes, they could be a little cruel.
Beings of such power and might, they did not care for the humble humans. In that case, about Athena's request, what would be the correct option?
He thought about it for tens of seconds, and finally made up his mind.
In this situation, it would be a transaction of both high risks and returns, even if things turned out to be the worst case, he could always shamelessly back out of his agreement.
The most important reason actually was - he did not want to give a vague answer. What comes afterwards would be not to get blindly lead around by the other party, and maintaining his own pace, but...
"I understand, then..."
"Allow me to answer in the place of the King. Of course, we refuse!"
Just as Godou had wanted to give his answer, he was interrupted.
The one who had been standing by his side and silently watching the entire time, Liliana, had spoken out suddenly.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Athena. The warrior that protects us humans, the King, how could he possibly make such a commitment? Please forget that we had ever said anything!"
".... That answer, is no fun at all. Boring."
The total opposite of the Liliana whose head was bowed respectfully, Athena looked around in disinterest.
"Forget it, if that's the case, then I will be staying at the sea over yonder. Should you have a change of mind, go to the harbor where we were last night, and call my name. No matter the time, I will give you the answer that you seek.... Before that troublemaker returns, any time is fine."
The goddess of the land and darkness, with those words, departed from the alley.
Part 2
"Are we supposed to reject those kinds of offer, in this situation? We could have gotten some information out of Athena, too."
On the way back to Diana's abode, Godou complained.
As he understood the reason why Liliana had done that, he wasn't particularly reprimanding her. He could have snuck out later to meet Athena, after all.
"When you put it that way, are you perhaps thinking of accepting her offer after all?"
"Basically, yes, as long as I state some conditions and try to reach a compromise, it shouldn't be that bad a trade... But, you knew I was going to accept her offer?"
Godou was slightly impressed.
As he thought, Liliana had guessed his intentions.
"Of course I knew. Although the time we have spent together has been short, I can understand the feeling that people get before you do something utterly outrageous!"
"D, do I seem that weird a person to you?"
"Without a doubt. For example, yesterday, when you had summoned the [Boar] out in the middle of the street."
Hearing her say that, Godou felt somewhat guilty.
Due to his revival from death, he had slept for half a day, and had forgotten all about it.
"Kusanagi Godou - although your daily actions are normal, but during times of crisis, you tend to become reckless, and make impulsive and rash decisions."
As they walked along the road of the old street, Liliana chided him.
Though the attitude and speech were wholly different, in some ways she was as troublesome as Erica and the others. Indignant, Godou retorted.
"I'm not as reckless as you say I am! In that earlier exchange with Athena, it was already going according to my plan!"
"Negotiations with high-ranking mages or [Heretic Gods], you cannot make that sort of commitment or promise, for fear of being controlled! Even if you have the intent to rebel against it, if you had said something like, 'I'll do as you say', they will have absolute power over your will!"
This was a surprising piece of information.
Liliana was truly angry, glaring at the shocked Godou.
"Because you are a Campione, hence even if it were a mage of the highest-tier, his magic would have no hold over you, but she is a goddess! If you make a pact with Athena, a goddess of that level, you won't be able to resist whatever she asks of you!"
".... I see. Then I must thank you for having saved me."
Seems a crisis had been averted earlier.
The self-reflecting Godou honestly expressed his gratitude and apology, and Liliana immediately turned her head away.
"I, it's nothing. As a knight, lending my assistance to the [King] is only natural, I've done nothing to deserve your gratitude, don't worry about it."
She seemed embarrassed.
Her cheeks red, Liliana smiled faintly.
"You shouldn't have fallen for those words in the first place. I had noticed it since last night, but you are too careless at times, please be careful of what your powers might do to the environment in the future!"
"I did try to minimize the collateral damage..."
"That's not what I was trying to say. I wanted to let you know that, to the surrounding people or an organization, a Campione is a being capable of the greatest destruction, and hence, please be more careful next time."
After she said that, Liliana turned her head back.
She looked straight at Godou.
"Although I would like you to be more mindful of the surroundings, but truthfully, it is an unnecessary. No matter how much destruction a Campione causes, only a being of equal standing, another Campione, has the right to criticize. It's because of the authority that you possess, that you have gained the title of [King]."
Come to think of it, he had been told something like that by some mage before.
- What you have attained is power on par with the gods and devil kings, a human yet to be above humans, an absolute privilege... for example.
Remembering those ridiculous words, Godou shook his head. Truly, it was a cruel joke.
"You should know this too, but both Sir Salvatore and Marquis Voban, neither of their personalities have any praiseworthy aspects. They lack morals that a normal person should have, but as a Campione, a [King], whatever actions they do will be forgiven."
That should not be the case.
Godou shook his head again, that shouldn't be the case at all.
"The only duty a Campione has to bear, is when a [Heretical God] manifests, to defend the powerless humans and engage it in battle. This is the one thing that you have to abide by, the one thing that humankind asks of you. Anything else is unnecessary, be it a noble obligation, or a ridiculous request. The only thing you have to do is to follow your base instincts, and do battle with the gods, as a protector of the land."
"What kind of reasoning is that?!"
Godou asserted his stand.
Facing Liliana who was going full steam about the ways of the world.
"Those guys being useless members of society, it was because of the fact that they were originally beyond saving to begin with. Because of that kind of reason, forgiving a Campione no matter what they do, what kind of reasoning is that? Let me ask you, do you really agree with that? I don't think that you really do, but at any rate, please don't, Liliana-san!"
Being on the receiving ends of his questions, Liliana lowered her head, troubled.
This way of thinking had already been ingrained and instilled into her serious, stubborn, yet gentle self, which is why she could tolerate whatever ridiculous shenanigans the other Campiones had done.
"Whatever those guys have done has nothing to do with me. I'll do things my own way. It was only because of a stroke of luck that I have obtained this unimaginable power. While trying not to cause too much trouble to the world, I will find the right way to use this power."
Godou declared loudly.
However, thinking of the constant mistakes that he had made, he decided to add one more thing, just in case.
"But.... sometimes I might be a little too careless, and make some mistakes, but I have Erica and Mariya, and also you. Because of everyone that is lending me their hand, I'm sure that things will work out. I'm counting on you, once again."
"M, me too?"
"Didn't you just help me out big time earlier? If you find it to be too harsh, then just this time would be fine too, you've already done too much for me..."
Thinking carefully and calmly, there probably wasn't anyone who would go this far for someone else.
Neither Erica nor him, would stick their nose that far in someone else's business.
Godou was misunderstanding this, and Liliana shook her head, stopping and heaving a sigh. And, in a knightly manner, she replied,
"If you - if the [King] desires so, then I am prepared to offer my very being to you, and to do my very best for you... However, shall we rest for today? It's getting rather late."
The serious conversation was abruptly ended.
It was the first time he had seen such a heart-warming smile on Liliana's face, while speaking with such gentleness.
Seeing that expression, he felt that she was no different from a normal girl. Discovering this side to Liliana, he felt a little shy, and nodded.
Before they had realized it, they were in front of Diana's bookstore.
When they were returning, the sun had started to set, and darkness began to cover the sky.
"Ah, that's right, about Perseus' secret, we probably have to figure something out ourselves..."
The two of them walked into the building, and headed straight for the kitchen. Neither Karen nor Diana were around, they were alone together.
"I'll go prepare some tea, please take a short rest in the meantime."
Liliana said, while taking out the necessary equipment from the kitchen shelves.
All Godou had been drinking so far in Italy was only coffee. It was either espresso, cappuccino or latte, usually.
Thinking that it wouldn't be so bad to have a change of pace, Godou took a seat on the chair, and obediently awaited the tea. The unique fragrance of the herbs began to diffuse throughout the house.
" - Please enjoy your tea."
A few minutes had passed.
From Liliana's hands, Godou received a cup of hot amber liquid.
The fragrant smell of mint wafted across his nostrils.
It was a refreshing aroma, but it felt somewhat queer. He took a small sip, and felt the taste spread through his taste buds, but it was accompanied by a bizarre feeling of unease.
"The taste isn't so great, it feels a little odd."
"That is because of the herbs that are used to brew the tea, rather than the taste, it is a drink that focuses on the nutritional value."
Godou had commented without thinking, and Liliana had replied with a shrug.
So it's that kind of drink, and Godou who had understood that point, gulped the entire drink down in one breath.
It was after ten minutes of chatting with Liliana before he noticed the change within his body.
"What... what is this?"
His body had gradually started to feel numb. It had started with his fingers, but only a few moments had passed before his limbs had ceased to function.
Before long, he had lost all motor functions throughout his body.
"As I thought, if it's an internal cause, even if you are a Campione, magic would have an effect."
Liliana said, to the Godou who was unable to move.
Was she forcing him to rest!? Godou was shocked. Why had she done that!?
"I had mixed a drug that numbs magical energy into the tea... Even though it had the taste and aroma of herbs, you still managed to sense it, I did not expect that - "
So that was what it was, the sensation of drinking a drug?
The enhanced senses of a Campione, detecting the drug being ingested, had sent warning signals to the body, and Godou swore to himself that he would not fall for this again.
"It's as you've said, we can obtain the needed information if we negotiate with Athena. There was nothing wrong with it, just that the one to negotiate with her shouldn't have been you. If our trump card against the gods were to be sacrificed, it would be putting the cart before the horse."
Unsure whether it were a problem with the five senses or his brain, his body simply would not obey.
Liliana gently held Godou, and placed him against the wall, in a leaning position.
"About my going to negotiate with Athena about what was mentioned earlier, of course, I'll have to make her promise not to harm you in any way... Because I'm a witch, I should be able to get along with a great goddess of the land like Athena just fine. Please leave it to me, I should be able to obtain at least a little bit of information."
It had only been because he was a Campione that Athena had offered the secret, and a [Heretic God] most likely would not make a deal with a mere human. This was too risky.
Godou would very much liked to have told her that, but he could not even utter a single word.
"If you came along, the negotiation might very well go wrong, in some way I won't expect. Hence, it would best if I went alone. The drug was a last resort, please forgive me."
With those words, Liliana left the kitchen.
Only Godou remained in the room. Mustering all of his will and strength, he attempted to force his body to move, but it did not work.
- I am strongest amongst the strong. Truly, I am one that holds each and every victory.
- I care not whom challenges me, whether man or devil; I may face all my foes and all my enemies. Regardless, I shall crush all those who wouldst stand in my way.
Godou chanted the scripture of Verethragna in his heart, and his body began to fill with the power of the Persian war god. The numbness had begun to fade little by little.
The effect will wear off if I keep going at this.
Not relying on his physical body, but instead making use of the magical power, Godou had managed to purge a little of the drug.
Directly channeling the magic into his body, without a doubt, was the most effective method to use on a Campione's body, but it was a desperate measure due to his powerlessness at the moment.
Leaving aside the gods, to lose like this to a normal magic user -
While telling himself that, Godou continued the fight against the numbness in his body.
Part 3
This was the harbor of Santa Lucia district.
It was the location of the confrontation with Perseus the previous day, and also where Godou and Athena had showed up. Liliana had spent about twenty minutes to return here, and called out towards the sea,
"O' great goddess Athena, the humble knight Liliana Kranjcar hereby requests an audience with you! Please allow me this honor of being in your presence!"
Liliana's voice resounded across the sea, which was dyed red by the sunset.
It was only a brief while before a patch of darkness with an outline of silver began to form at another end of the harbor. The darkness rapidly took the shape of Heretic Athena, who slowly walked towards Liliana.
"Why did Kusanagi Godou not come? Little girl, my business is not with you."
The goddess said with an air of arrogance, but she had expected that.
No matter what happens later, she had to obtain some information on Perseus.
Liliana was nervous and tense.
To negotiate not with a blade but with words, it was not her specialty. Rather, Erica was better at the arts of persuasion, but in this situation she could only grit her teeth and do it....
"On behalf of the King I have come to make a request, an enquiry on the principles of Perseus' power which allowed him to seal the authorities of Kusanagi Godou. Because of our shortcomings, we were not able to understand the mystery behind it, and thus, I beseech you to grant us your wisdom - "
; "I've said it before, there is a price to be paid."
Athena coldly stated, and Liliana hesitated.
She had not been expecting Athena to give an answer easily.
Her aim was to obtain a few tidbits of information from the goddess. If they had gone with this strategy earlier in the negotiation by Kusanagi Godou, they might have been able to get a few clues by now. But from the cold expression of the other party, the chances of being lied to were rather high, and thus she said...
"Please, to Kusanagi Godou who is fighting on your behalf, do you not have any parting gifts?"
"Didn't I say this before too? He could have chosen not to fight, and to let me fling that troublemaking hero right into the depths of that volcano. If he had done that, then wouldn't it have been much less troublesome for him?"
Athena's tone had not a single bit of interest in it.
If this willful girl were a human, Liliana would have given her quite the scolding. However...
Liliana resisted the urge, and was repeatedly reciting, 'Bear with it, bear with it!' to herself. A normal mage would have given up by then, given such an unreasonable goddess.
She had the disposition of a witch, after all.
The origins of the witches of Europe, were the mikos who had worshipped Athena.
Studying the spiritual senses, listening to the words of the goddess.
The words of power and divinity of the goddess of the land granted power to the witches. The resulting possibility of obtaining the scattered wisdom of the gods and revelations were high -
"Though, when I had initially brought Kusanagi Godou here, I did not expect a god of that nature to manifest. Perhaps this might be destiny. Encountering the leader of the ancient east is indeed harsh, but should he fail to succeed, we can only say that the brat's capabilities were simply not enough..."
Athena laughed happily.
Leader of the ancient east? Come to think of it, what was it she said earlier? A troublemaker. She had called that beautiful hero a troublemaker, or something like that.
Athena had many things to say about Perseus.
All her words continued to spin around in Liliana's head, like a burst of inspiration through a broken barrier. The goddess had, from the start, seen through the hero's origins.